Handmade Emulsion: Creating Black and White Film Stock From Scratch
Presented by Alex MacKenzie

The alchemical nature and serendipity of the handmade image are explored in this immersive how-to of hand-brewed emulsion. In this workshop a simple, raw, and extremely low ISO black and white film stock suitable for contact printing will be created, using three key ingredients in the production of a silver based emulsion: gelatin, potassium bromide, and silver nitrate. A basic chemistry lesson will be provided to introduce the essential make-up of film emulsion, followed by a discussion of technique including a contextual screening of examples, and the creation of the emulsion in a darkroom. The mixture is then literally painted on to clear transparent acetate, followed by contact printing a film strip onto the raw stock, hand processing, and assessing the results. The workshop is aimed at both experienced practitioners and beginners, and includes all film stock, chemistry, and supplies. It is also recommended that you bring small objects of 16mm width or less for photogramming onto the filmstrips. No prior experience is necessary.

ONLINE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE

• Dates: Sat Mar 6 & Sun Mar 7 (1PM - 5PM)
• Fee: $120/mem | $150/non
• Instructor: Alex MacKenzie

For more information on workshops, please contact the Training & Outreach Programs Coordinator at 925-3450 or darcy@winnipegfilmgroup.com

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Alex MacKenzie’s practice focuses on various models of expanded cinema and light projection involving the handmade image. He was the founder and curator of the Edison Electric Gallery of Moving Images, the Blinding Light! Cinema, and the Vancouver Underground Film Festival. His live works have been presented at festivals and underground screening spaces throughout Europe and North America, most recently on a month long tour of England, Ireland and Scotland, including performances at the Cork International Film Festival, Leeds International Film Festival, Aurora Festival In Norwich, Brief Encounters Festival in Bristol, and many others.
Alex has presented workshops and lectures at the Concordia University Graduate Studies Program, Simon Fraser University, York University, Mount Allison University, Humboldt State University (California), Atelier MTK in France, and elsewhere. He has completed residencies in Grenoble, France and at Struts Gallery/Faucet Media in New Brunswick. 
Alex is the co-editor of Damp: Contemporary Vancouver Media Art (Anvil Press 2008), interviewed David Rimmer for Loop, Print, Fade + Flicker: David Rimmer’s Moving Images (Anvil Press 2009), and is currently designing handmade film emulsions and altered projection devices for gallery installation and live performance.  www.alexmackenzie.ca